Rasmussen: Romney Holds Lead Over Obama in Iowa

GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney holds a one-point lead over Barack Obama in Iowa, a state the president carried by 10 points in 2008. Romney leads Obama 47 percent to 46 percent, a new Rasmussen poll shows.

Obama carried Iowa 54 to 44 percent over Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in 2008. With the exception of 2004 when President George W. Bush won by a point, Democratic presidential candidates have carried Iowa in every election since 1988.

“Iowa is one of nine states many political analysts consider key to determining the winner in November’s election,” Rasmussen wrote. “Rasmussen Reports polling finds the president ahead in two of those states – Nevada and Pennsylvania. Romney also leads in two – North Carolina and Ohio. Like Iowa, three others – Colorado, Florida and Virginia – are virtually tied.”

The president’s job approval rating in Iowa is at 48 percent. Romney is viewed favorably by 46 percent while 51 percent view him unfavorably. By a 50 to 40 percent margin, Iowa voters think Romney would do a better job than Obama managing the economy.

The gender gap that has been prevalent in polls across the country is also evident in Iowa where Romney leads among men by 11 points and Obama among women by 8 points.

“Among voters who are excited about the choice, Obama leads 62 percent to 35 percent,” according to Rasmussen. “Romney’s ahead 59 percent to 29 percent among voters who view the election as a choice between the lesser of two evils.”
Some 47 percent of Iowa voters say they agree with the president on most issues, with 16 percent who agree with him on just about everything. Iowa voters agree with Romney 45 percent on most issues but just 5 percent agree with him on just about everything.